“Oh my goodness.”
“What?” Grace asked.
“What’s the matter?” Presley Ann asked as she craned her neck. “Who are they talking to?”
Leah just grinned happily and said, “I’ll let the guys tell you, but it’s a nice surprise.”
James and Vincent returned and Adam helped them quickly get the entire group’s attention. The faces and friends all looked over expectantly, and with curiosity, at the two newcomers. James had to clear his throat a couple of times and finally said, “We want to introduce two new friends to everyone. This is Kendry and Jared McCulloch, from Abilene. They’re firefighters there. Kendry was the recipient of Patterson’s heart, back in April.”
Leah saw surprise register on faces as everyone took that news in. She skirted Jack and Grace and went to both men and hugged them in turn. “Welcome to the Dancing Pony, guys. I’m so glad you could come tonight.”
Kendry and Jared both hugged her back and the conversation gradually rose to a normal level as members of the group began coming forward to introduce themselves. She snickered when she heard Violet quietly say, “Lawd, have mercy, girls. I need to go set my house on fire.” The others giggled but Leah noticed that beyond smiling in a friendly fashion at the men, Presley Ann didn’t approach them or flirt at all.
She went over to her sister and said, “They’re single, just so you know. In a roundabout way they asked about you last time they were here.”
Surprise registered in Presley Ann’s eyes. “They did? Why?”
“They asked if I had a sister.”
Amusement sparkled in her eyes and Presley Ann chuckled. “I think that had more to do with you than with me, sis.” She flapped her hands out in front of her and said, “I’m not here to flirt. I’m here for you, and to get to know some of your friends. That’s all.”
“Okay,” Leah said as the changing song on the sound system got her attention and she said, “But you’re dancing at least one dance with your big sister. Come on.”
Thomas Rhett’s “Get Me Some of That” began to play and Grace winked and nodded in approval when Presley Ann looked at her uncertainly. Grace said, “Come on, my friend. Rose Marie and Grant both spent plenty of time on this dance floor before they were born.”
“You’re sure?” Presley Ann asked softly, looking at the girls surrounding them.
Rachel winked at her, too, and said, “Getcha ass out there, girl. You’re with us now.”
“Oh,” Presley Ann said, pressing her lips together, trying to hide an uncertain smile. “Okay. I’m not sure…”
“Yeah, ya are,” Lydia said with a wide smile. “Get out there with us and I’m sure it’ll come to you.”
Leah had never been the type to let loose on the dance floor, especially in a group like that, but she went for it nevertheless. It felt awkward at first but then she found her own rhythm in the steady beat of the song and discovered she was moving with the girls rather than just among them. Then that her hips and shoulders got in on the action and she started feeling sexy as she shook her ass and peeked over her shoulder…to find that her men’s undivided attention was centered on her.
As the songs switched, the heavy beat and electric guitar caught her attention, and then she noticed Grace giggling. When she asked her what was up, Grace said, “Charity must be here. This is one of her favorite rock classics.”
Rachel came over and nudged her friend. “Journey’s playing. Where is Charity?”
The rest of the girls laughed, half of them returning to the table while the others were joined by their respective husbands. Steve Perry’s vocals for “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” began as Val Teller cut through the middle of the crowd, winking at Grace and leading his wife Charity onto the dance floor.
Leah thought when God made Charity, He broke the mold. That fact was actually true of both her and her sister, but Charity was in a class all by herself, dressed in her black leather corset, miniskirt, sky-high boots, and her hair straightened and flowing down her back like a waterfall, instead of with its usual bouncy curls.
Immensely tall, like her other two husbands, Val was dressed in his leathers and a black T-shirt. His olive skin glowed golden from spending time in sun and his long black hair was loose around his shoulders.
Grace giggled and put a finger under Leah’s jaw to close her mouth as she watched the two of them come together on the dance floor.
“Sex on a stick. I know,” Grace said, watching the pair with a wide smile. Her searching gaze scanned the club and then she said, “Val must’ve taken her out for a date night. I don’t see Justin and Ransome anywhere.”